The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1887-07-03
ABOUT UMBRELLAS,
Their Origin for Shade Rather
Than Moisture.
A RELIC OF SOLAR WORSHIP.
Mrs. Camps Sunshade-The Fashion
able Article-Folding a SILK
Umbrella-A Test

There are those who suppose that the
origin of the umbrella is to be sought
for IN mans need of some portable pro-
lection from the rain, which need found
expression in the invention of the
modern umbrella. Philology and science,
however, point to different conclu-
sion, the former telling us that the
umbrella is associated with shade rather
than moisture, and the latter that it is
relic of solar worship. The word "um-
brella" is a reduplicated form of the
the Latin word umbra, signifying
shade" and means really a little
shade, in the same way that CALICO (leg-
gings) is father to the word "caligula'
(little leggings.)
Having decided the origin of the
word, we will next proceed to give the
view of certain learned speciality as
to the derivation of the article itself
The umbrella, according to our author
ity, is relic of solar worship, was
probably imported from Persia, and its
origin has no more to do with keeping
of rain than with keeping off lightning
or thunderbolts The Persians, il is
well known, were worshipers of the
heavenly bodies, the sun occupying the
same place among their hierarchy of
deitles as he does among his own orbs.
Viewing him as all powerful, as all in
telligent, cognizant of the smallest acts
OF their lives, the Persians hit at last
upon portable screen which they
might interpose between themselves and
his beams, securing for the former pri-
vacy and for the latter ignorance of
what his devotees were doing. This
may sound rather far-fetched theory,
but 1t is probably the true one, and
or no, it is certain that UNI
brellas did not originate in either
Europe or America.
THE UMBRELLA ABROAD.
In Siam the possession of umbrellas Is
restricted to those of high rank, Mr..
Spencer telling US that one of the titles
of the dusky monarch there is King of
the Umbrella Wearing Chiefs" Ii the
two great university towns Of England
etiquette discOuntenances undergradu-
ates appearing on the streets with UNI
brellas and only permits the aiming Of
these luxuries to fellows and graduates.
In fiction the person of Mrs. Camp has
conferred on the umbrella an immortal
Ity which not even the muse of tragedy
could 90. Indeed, the umbrella cuts but
q poor figure in the tragedy, while it is
quite at home in the flights of comedy
or farce. Mrs. Camps sunshade is so
famous that 1t has given its name to
those fluffy, obese looking articles which
One is so apt to associate with the
ranter of old times and with modern
of the Lime Kiln Club
The fashionable umbrella IS as different
3 looking affair to one of these as it is
possible to imagine. A greater contrast
does not exist between a racer and q
ely desdale than between the modern
and its Woolly prototype of
ago. The former is made of
silk, it is invariably black, brown or
green in hue. is fitted to light, but
very strong framework, and whether
viewed as a use or an ornament is an
pleasing object to contem-
plate.
The umbrella is sometimeg used as
Weapon of offense and defense, but is
-ather q poor affair. If you want to
strike your enemy a good "sWashing
blow" you had better have recourse to
Iome other implement than an UNI
orella. Viewed in this light, it presents
more facilities for being used stiletto
wise than as q claymore or cutlass.
Everything to its uses, and as you can't
expect to keep rain off with foil, so you
must not hope to draw blood with an
If the latter is disappointing
Is a weapon of offense so it is as
of defense.
THE SILK UMBRELLA.
If you are the possessor of silk un-
,rella and are DESTROYS of spprising its
merits, see what proportion the spread
,f If rhen omen hears To the diameter